This video pretty much sums up the reality of what 6 years of traveling Tiny has been like and how our next chapter of grounding into Ukiah, CA is what we have chosen as we "Come off the Road".  

We will be checking back in with other videos and content as we land, gain insights on what this chapter holds for us, discuss the stages we are in with regards to our Tiny Home on Wheels, our new ADU plans and so much more.
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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLo5_I7G1TKG_h4QsfuNtojofdTF82LjHA

There's all this talk of people living a large life while living small but what does that really mean? In this blog, I will attempt to give my version of what it's like to choose to live smaller so life can be larger.

First let's talk about space...Living smaller than the average US home of 2500 square feet offers a range of benefits that go beyond the initial challenges of limited space. Embracing a smaller living environment can lead to a more intentional, sustainable, and fulfilling lifestyle. Here's a top ten list for how to manage the physical space so we can move into the living large opportunity.

1. Maximize Vertical Space: Utilize wall-mounted shelves, hooks, and hanging storage to make the most of your vertical space. This keeps surfaces clear and adds storage without taking up floor area. We used baskets that attach to the wall with small caribeaners (Which are hidden from sight) to give us more vertical storage. 
2. Multi-Functional Furniture: Invest in furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes. A sofa bed, fold-out desk, or a coffee table with storage can transform your living space as needed. Our multi-functional dining table is well used and comes in 4 stages 1) Fully down 2) Small table Up 3) Full Table to seat 6 up and 4) large table up with small table down for a unique sitting experience (see table in picture in the small seats 3 mode) 
3. Declutter Regularly: Everything has a place and everything in its place is a reality not just a gimmick. Keeping only what you truly need and love helps with keeping the space clear and having time to live life instead of dealing with clutter. Be sure to have a box or bag that is always ready to receive unwanted things and take it to the thrift store as often as possible. 
4. Light, Height and Bright- The height of your ceiling along with natural window light and white or light colored walls gives a feeling of spaciousness. Opt for light-colored walls, furniture, and décor to create an illusion of spaciousness. Light hues reflect more light, making a room feel airy and open. Feel free to add pops of color on an accent wall, pillows and art but keep the room open.
5. Mirrors for Depth: Mirrors can make a small space appear larger by reflecting light and creating a sense of depth. Consider placing a large mirror strategically to visually expand the room.
6. Mindful Design: Small spaces benefit from thoughtful design choices. Consider the flow of the room, the balance of colors, and the placement of furniture to create a harmonious space that visually expands beyond its physical limitations.
7. Minimalist Design: Embrace a minimalist design style that focuses on clean lines and simplicity. This approach prevents the space from feeling cluttered and promotes a sense of calm. Think about the design of the cabinet doors and if you are considering open shelves, think about less is more.
8. Smart Storage Solutions: Invest in storage containers that fit under beds, inside closets, and in corners. Use modular storage systems that can adapt to your changing needs. Don't forget about the toe-kicks and storage under stairs, everything counts in a Tiny Home.
9. Functional Room Dividers: If needed, use open bookshelves, curtains, or folding screens to create separate zones within a small space. This adds privacy and defines different areas without closing off the room entirely. Need a zoom background but it just doesn't fit in a Tiny Home...think about folding screen.
10. Optimize Lighting: Good lighting can open up a small space. Incorporate a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting to eliminate dark corners and visually expand the room.

​Living large in a small space is all about maximizing functionality, optimizing storage, and creating the illusion of spaciousness through design and organization. By following these tips, you can transform your compact living area into a comfortable and stylish haven.

Frank Olito, March 26, 2021
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In 2016, Carley Jackson was living in Louisiana when a natural disaster flooded half the state. With her apartment destroyed, she was forced to move into a hotel for a month. 
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At that moment, Jackson decided to fast-track her dream of living in a tiny house, something she had been fantasizing about for a decade. She moved to Austin — a more tiny-house-friendly city — in 2019, and while there, she saved as much money as she could for her future home. 

But, in 2021, Jackson learned her tiny-house dreams may not become a reality. 
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Based on past tiny-house costs she'd found in her research, Jackson saved $50,000 and thought she had enough to finally start building her home. She worked with a consultant to design a basic 26-foot tiny house with a downstairs bedroom, lots of storage, and a dishwasher for herself, her boyfriend, and their dog. 

When they began pricing builders, Jackson was surprised to learn their tiny house would actually cost $70,000 to $80,000. Jackson was about $30,000 short. 

"It was shocking," Jackson said. "You plan something and you have a dream in your head, and then it all falls apart. It's extremely frustrating."

Jackson isn't alone. Potential tiny-house owners across the country are frustrated with the growing cost of tiny houses and are being forced to give up their dreams of joining the movement.

The prices of tiny houses today are vastly different than they were a decade ago

When the modern tiny-house movement started in the early 2000s, it was advertised as an affordable way to own a home. Shows like "Tiny House Nation," which premiered in 2014, perpetuated the idea that people could buy a tiny house for cheap, but as the movement took off, those cheaper homes became less of a reality.  
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"In the very beginning, I don't think anyone knew exactly how much the homes we were building on 'Tiny House Nation' cost," Zack Giffin, host of the series, told Insider. "The homeowners would have a set budget and we would deliver a home regardless. The product integrations and the labor from myself and my crew were never even calculated."

The median cost of a tiny house today is around $60,000, and the price keeps climbing as the demand for these smaller structures increases and builders push the boundaries of what a tiny house can look like.

David Latimer of New Frontier Design, for example, created the Escher, a family-friendly tiny house that starts at $180,000. It includes a chef's kitchen, two bedrooms, a modern bathroom, and a walk-in closet. Although the Escher house is far from where the movement started, some say this is where the movement is heading. 

However, the price for tiny houses without high-end amenities — like Jackson's proposed design — is also increasing across the board. 

Lindsay Wood, who runs a tiny-house consulting business and who worked with Jackson in designing her house, said she has seen prices increase drastically even in the past year. Wood said one to two years ago, you only needed $50,000 to purchase a common 8-by-24-foot tiny house. In 2021, you need $65,000 to $75,000.

Prices of materials have also gone up significantly thanks to the pandemic

When the coronavirus pandemic began, it sparked an increased interest in tiny houses, as new demographics looked for safe ways to travel and to take their work on the road. 

As the demand went up, builders and material suppliers struggled to meet it because they were already trying to contend with new COVID safety measures to keep their employees safe. 

"It's more difficult for every business," said Nick Mosley, whose company, California Tiny House, built 30 houses last year. "Lumber mills aren't able to staff as much as they normally would and it may be slowing production."
CNBC found a 112% increase in lumber prices during the pandemic as remodeling became a popular quarantine activity in 2020. Similarly, Mosley said he used to buy beams for $2.50 each, and now they're $7.50 each. 

"It doesn't sound like a lot of money, but when you're buying 500 to a thousand two by fours, a $5 increase is drastic," Mosley said. "And then that carries in through each house we build." 

Mosley added that at the end of 2020, his supplier of trailers — the foundation for every tiny house on wheels — announced their costs will increase 5% in 2021 because their supplier hit them with a steel price increase. It's a chain reaction that ultimately affects the tiny house owner. 

"Materials costs nationwide are increasing and that's driving up costs on a lot of tiny-house builders," Mosley said, adding: "The only way not to lose all the money we are paying out to meet material increases is to increase our prices, too." 

Giffin says this price increase is actually great for the future of the movement

In most parts of the US, tiny houses are still considered RVs and people cannot live in them full-time. The Tiny Home Industry Association is working to pass zoning ordinances and building codes across the country to allow for the legalization of tiny houses. 

It's a difficult process but, interestingly, Giffin said he thinks the rising costs of tiny houses could help push this initiative forward. 

"Even though there's not a uniform building code of tiny homes, the cities are making up their own requirements, and essentially, they're requiring quality materials. They're requiring fire egress. They're requiring handrails," Giffin said. "In order to be allowed into communities, we need to be building nice tiny homes."

Not only could the expensive price tags help in the legalization process, but Giffin said they could also lead to better financing options for potential tiny-house owners. In the eyes of most large banks right now, tiny houses are not considered homes, so potential owners cannot get a mortgage. If tiny houses are built with better materials and with more quality control, Giffin said he hopes banks will start to recognize them as actual homes. 

"If you could get a mortgage on a tiny home and deal with those same kinds of interest rates, you wouldn't be [saying], 'Oh, my God, it's $100,000.' You'd be like, 'Whoa, I got this thing for $500 a month,'" Giffin said. 

Still, tiny-house owners are struggling to meet this new price tag

Wood said a lot of her clients are like Jackson, who is surprised to see how expensive a tiny house can be these days. 

"Sadly most of my clients are way off on the reality of the budget," Wood said. "Way off. I had someone call me and say they had $25,000. For that, you're talking a very tiny space with rental appliances." ​

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